Railway signal-torpedo.



F. BUTCHER. RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO APPLICATION FILED APR,22, I915.

Patented. Nov 21, 1916.

YERS 1:0 Pinon-undo" WASHIN UNITED sTArEs PATENT orrion.

FRANK DUTCI-IER, or VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL-TORPEDO.

. Application filed April 22,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK DUTCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal-Torpedoes, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in railway signal torpedoes, and pertains to that general type which is known as fiber or non-flying torpedoes.

The species of this type of torpedo to which the present invention pertains is that in which the case is made from a paper tube.

My present improvement pertains to extending the ends of the tube sufiiciently be yond the explosive to enable them to be doubled under the body of the torpedo and fastened together by a suitable metal clip.

The present invention further relates to having the doubled under ends of thetube lap each other and these lapping ends secured by a metal clip, the metal clip and the lapping ends also serve to hold the lead railengaging strap to the torpedo.

Referring now to the drawings Figure 'l is a perspective view of my improved tor pedo showing it in position upon a rail. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central sectional view at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. at is a view showing the paper tube with the ends extended outward and before they are doubled back under the explosive and also the metal clip before it is applied. Fig. 5 is a view showing the ends of the tube extended and a'tablet explosive in dotted lines therein.

My improved torpedo is made from a paper tube 1, which will have inserted therein midway between its ends a tablet charge explosive. In Fig. i the explosive charge 2 is in the form of a tablet, while in Fig. 5 the explosive 3 is in a powdered form. After the explosive is placed midway in the tube, as shown either in Figs. 4 or 5, the extended flattened ends t of the tube are doubled back under the main or body-portion, as shown in Fig. 1. A metal clip 5 is passed between the inner turned back end 4 and the body of Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented NOV. 21, 19116..

1915. Serial No. 23,176.

the torpedo, and this clip is provided with projections or lugs 6, which are doubled down and under the outer turned ende t, thus uniting these turned back ends of the tube and also holding in place a suitable rail-engaging strap 7, which as here shown passes between the two lapping ends 4 of the tube. It will be understood, of course, the tube when made is round and it is then afterward suitably shaped or flattened, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, after which the explosive charge, either in powdered form or in tablet form, is placed therein. In torpedoes of this construction the metal clip is completely under the torpedo so that no part of it will fly to injure by-standers when the torpedo explodes. Furthermore, it will be a torpedo that will be easily made waterproof, because after the tube is parailined and doubled back under the body-portion, as shown, there is no opportunity for waterto reach the explosive. A compact and eflition herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An improved torpedo comprising a tubular fiber casing, an explosive placed therein, the ends of the tube extended beyond the explosive and doubled under the body-portion, a clip extending under the body of the torpedo and transverse thereof, the ends of the clip bent around and clamp ing the bent under ends of the tube thus closing their ends and holding them in position.

i An improved torpedo comprising a fiber tube, an explosive therein, the ends of the tube extended beyond the explosive and doubled inward under the body of the torpedo, a clip extending under the body portion and transverse thereof, the ends of the Witnesses:

R. JUNKER, G. M.- LEONARD.

each, by'addressing the Commissioner of .Patents. Washington, D. O." r

FRANK DUTCHER. 

